How Heart Health Factors Into Alzheimer’s Disease

To reverse the tide of dementia, medical researchers need to get past a broken paradigm

Dementia dims our minds in our final years and our attempts to treat it have largely been unsuccessful. But those willing to change the lifestyle habits that contribute to the disease may find a better outcome—and a better life. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by progressively worsening dementia. Almost 6 million Americans suffer from this disease, but that number is expected to more than double by 2050. It’s already a great burden for sufferers and their families, but the cost of care is quickly becoming an enormous economic burden for the entire country. Today, dementia patients cost the United States $290 billion a year. In 30 years, annual costs are projected to climb to $1.1 trillion.

In 30 years, annual costs of dementia are projected to climb to $1.1 trillion. Shutterstock